Work Text:
If you said that it wasn't awkward to sit in Ayato's car while transporting luggage, you'd be sitting in a bold-faced lie. He seemed just fine, smiling by your side per usual—but all you could think of was the kiss you'd left him with just the other day.
The silver lining was that the flight home wasn’t as awkward as you were afraid it would be, but that was only because you sat very far from Ayato. The thought of having to live with him with your shared feelings still loomed over your head like an ominous rain cloud. You had agreed to it, but didn’t get the chance to think too hard into the consequences of your decision.
At least you had somewhere to go and didn’t have to request an extended stay at the dorms for break, so there was no point in getting so hung up on it. Your friends would be more proud if you took it maturely (however, they’d also try and convince you to get with Ayato, but two things could be true at once).
On one hand, your friends had a point. It would make things a lot easier, and perhaps, you wouldn’t even need to return to the dorms if you did accept his feelings. You got lost in thought for a moment, thinking about how it felt to work on that puffy cat latte all that time ago. Your first coincidental meeting. How things had changed since then, you found it difficult to understand let alone put into words.
Every second you spent making the coffee led to this day in one way or another. Every photo the two of you had captured. The equally coincidental meeting on campus when you were able to put all the pieces together. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think this sufficient enough to be called a meetcute.
“Do you want to take up your luggage to the room first or take a break?” Ayato spoke up as he pulled into the driveway of his home. “I wouldn’t be against making us some coffee, if you want a cup.” You said it while thinking about the cat latte, but he didn’t need to know that was what inspired the idea of coffee. Not to mention, he had a fabulous coffee corner that you couldn’t let go to waste just sitting and looking pretty.
“Ah, in that case, I can bring up all your bags. You don’t have to touch a single one of them,” he smirked as he got out of the car and almost skipped to the passenger seat to open the door for you.
He looked incredibly giddy for someone who was usually so reserved. Part of you wanted to tease him even if you were still hung up on the previous kiss. You shook your head, gently, not in opposition to his words, but to shake the growing smile from your pace. “That would be really nice, thank you.”
You almost sprinted inside after getting out, guest key in hand (that Ayato gave you a few weeks ago), trying to escape his presence. Too much of it and you’d simply crack.
Even though you quickly started on making some espresso and preparing the ingredients for a latte in his kitchen, your mind drifted off yet again. Ayato would come in through the front door every few minutes as he was bringing in your things, and it made your heart rate spike each time. You stared at the cabinet in front of you for entirely too long before you took out your favorite wildflower cup and the cup that Ayato usually used.
There was no way to go about this normally. There was no solution other than the one staring you in the face. You poured the espresso into both cups mindlessly, drifting into the routine you would have at work while your eyes drifted towards your phone.
After you poured the frothed milk and foamed milk on top of the espresso, you set the cups to the side. There was already a notification on your phone when you pressed the power button. Just who you’d been wanting to message.
[ Roomimi: how is the move going? well, i hope?
You: yeah… just getting into the groove of moving things into their guest room now
Roomimi: that’s good! i wish i could visit, but gorou and i are visiting my mom :((
You: don’t worry, you’ll have time to see me any either time. is it okay if i ask you a question?
Roomimi: what is it?
You: should i just tell him the truth about how i feel?
Roomimi: …are you finally coming to terms?
You: i think i’m going insane holding back all this time, yes. i kissed him before we left for the flight home.
You: it feels selfish of me to do things like that because i like him, i really do. the amount of time i’ve spent with him and the way he’s changed my outlook on life and was always there for me to fall back on.
You: photography and fame aside, he’s such a gentle person and i feel awful doing this to him when i know that i like him
Roomimi: and don’t you think this is something you should tell him straight up, instead of me? especially if you feel so deeply about him to the point that you kissed him during our vacation.
You: …exactly. yeah. i think i have to do it :’))
Roomimi: all that matters is that you follow your heart. whether that be with ayato or your dreams <3 ]
She had a point. You knew it, too. You stuffed your phone in your back pocket before taking the cups and bringing them to the cozy living room—turning on the ambient lighting and some music while you were at it. Ayato walked in shortly after, when you were already laying comfortably on the couch and drinking your latte.
“It smells so nice,” he picked up the cup and sat down beside you.
“You finished?”
“Yeah, everything is in the guest room now. Or rather, your room.”
There was a feeling in your chest, as if it would burst out either into a flurry of butterflies or explosions. “Oh, and I have a welcome gift for you, to help you get settled,” Ayato smiled, gentle and warm. Loving. It didn’t make things easier for you.
You hesitated before finally saying, “I have a welcome gift for you, too.”
“Even though I’m the one that’s already living here?”
“Don’t ask questions, ‘Yato,” you pouted. He was conveniently close, so it only took you leaning in a little bit before your face was inches away from his and you pecked his cheek. Just a peck.
“Is this… the gift?” Ayato stuttered, his mouth slightly agape and his arms frozen on his cup.
“No.” You whispered and leaned in again, this time carefully putting your lips on his. Making sure that they fit perfectly together. Calculating it—as best as you could with such a quickly beating heart and fuzzy mind. It was entirely intentional this time, not the rushed kiss you left before running away previously.
You didn’t want to run away. You only wanted him to be yours more than ever before.
Pulling away for a second, you whispered, “I really like you too, Ayato. I’m sorry that I let you wait all this time just because of my own doubts.”
“You should know I don’t care about that. Thank you, [Name]...”
It didn’t take long before both of your lattes were forgotten on the table and you were kissing on the couch that you’d fallen asleep on together just a few months ago.